Gambling portrayal featuring a European athlete
In Europe, the world of gambling has seen a significant shift in recent years, with online platforms playing a pivotal role in shaping this evolving landscape.
According to recent data, men in Europe are more prone to gambling activities, with approximately 54.7 million men experiencing gambling-related disorders compared to 25.3 million women [3]. However, it's worth noting that women tend to develop gambling addiction more rapidly once they begin [3].
The surge in online gambling has been a contributing factor to this rise in gambling addiction cases. The accessibility, anonymity, and round-the-clock availability of these platforms create conditions that can escalate the risk of developing problematic gambling behaviors for both genders [unspecified source].
Interestingly, trends show that while men engage in gambling more frequently, the progression to addiction among women is often quicker. This gender difference in addiction development suggests potentially different underlying vulnerabilities or social factors influencing gambling behavior.
Research also indicates that there are differences in gambling addiction patterns across sexual orientation and gender. Heterosexual men tend to report greater gambling-related harm than gay men, while bisexual women show higher compulsive sexual behaviors linked with behavioral addictions, which often co-occur with anxiety and depression [1].
Online gambling's popularity has been on the rise for the fifth consecutive year, with the number of users increasing by 19% in 2024 [unspecified source]. In 2024, 75% of all online gaming platform users in Europe were men, up from 72% in the previous year [unspecified source]. However, women's participation in online gambling has decreased from 28% to 25% over the same period.
Among youth, the increase in online gambling participation was particularly pronounced, with the number of girls participating rising from 2.7% to 8.7% [unspecified source]. In 2024, the number of students displaying signs of gambling addiction doubled, from 4.7% to 8.5% [unspecified source].
The most popular gambling activities among youth are slot machines, card and dice games, lotteries, sports betting, and horse racing [unspecified source]. The highest participation rates among youth were recorded among Italian students at 45% and Greek students at 36% [unspecified source].
The rise in online gambling has not only increased the number of gambling addicts but also led to a corresponding increase in people seeking professional help for gambling addiction. Issues related to gambling addiction include financial stress, mental health issues, family breakdowns, domestic violence, and suicides [unspecified source].
These trends underscore the need for gender- and diversity-sensitive prevention and treatment strategies in European gambling addiction services. By understanding and addressing the unique vulnerabilities and patterns of gambling addiction across different demographic groups, we can work towards minimizing the harmful impacts of gambling on individuals and society as a whole.
What types of games are popular among youth in the realm of online casino-and-gambling? Slot machines, card and dice games, lotteries, sports betting, and horse racing are the most common choices.
It's crucial to note that while men engage more often in casino-games, the progression to addiction among women tends to be quicker than that of men, highlighting the need for gender-specific strategies in addressing gambling addiction.
